第25章 That the Law of Nature is a Divine Law(4)

XX.That we said in the foregoing Chapter,The Law of Nature is eternall,is also prov'd out of the fifth of S.Matth.18.

Verily I say unto you,till Heaven and Earth Passe,one jot,or one tittle,shall in no wise Passe from the Law,and Psal.119.

v.160.Every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever.

XXI.We also said,That the Lawes of Nature had regard chiefly unto Conscience;that is,that he is just,who by all possible endeavour strives to fulfill them.And although a man should order all his actions (so much as belongs to externall obedience)just as the Law commands,but not for the Lawes sake,but by reason of some punishment annext unto it,or out of Vain glory,yet he is unjust.Both these are proved by the Holy Scriptures.The first,Esay 55.7.Let the wicked forsake his way,and unrighteous man his thoughts,and let him return unto the Lord,and he wil have mercy upon him,and to our God,for he will abundantly pardon.Ezek.18.31.Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby you have transgressed,&make you a new heart,and a new spirit;for why will you die O house of Israel?

By which,and the like places,we may sufficiently understand that God will not punish their deeds whose heart is right.The second out of the 29.of Isay 13.The Lord said,Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,and with their lips doe honour me,but have removed their heart far from me,therefore I will proceed,&c.Mat.5.20.Except your righteousnesse shall exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven;and in the following verses our Saviour explains to them how that the commands of God are broken,not by Deeds only,but also by the Will;for the Scribes and Pharises did in outward act observe the Law most exactly,but for Glories sake onely;else they would as readily have broken it.There are innumerable places of Scripture in which is most manifestly declar'd that God accepts the Will for the Deed,and that as well in good,as in evill actions.

XXII.That the Law of Nature is easily kept,Christ himself declares in the 11.Chapter of Saint Matthew 28,29,30.Come unto me,&c.Take my yoke upon you,and learn of me,&c.for my yoke is easie,and my burthen light.

XXIII.Lastly,the Rule by which I said any man might know whether what he was doing,were contrary to the Law,or not,to wit,what thou wouldst not be done to,doe not that to another,is almost in the self same words delivered by our Saviour,Mat.

7.12.Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you,do you even so to them.

XXIV.As the law of nature is all of it Divine,so the Law of Christ by conversion,(which is wholly explain'd in the 5,6,and 7.Chapter of S.Matthewes Gospell)is all of it also (except that one Commandement of not marrying her who is put away for adultery,which Christ brought for explication of the divine positive Law,against the Jewes,who did not rightly interpret the Mosaicall Law)the doctrine of Nature:I say the whole Law of Christ is explain'd in the fore-named Chapters,not the whole Doctrine of Christ;for Faith is a part of Christian Doctrine,which is not comprehended under the title of a Law;for Lawes are made,and given,in reference to such actions as follow our will,not in order to our Opinions,and,Belief which being out of our power,follow not the Will.